Five years ago, Fianna Fáil was struggling. They were attracting less support than they had received even in the 2011 election, and they were riven with internal divisions that resulted in Eamon Ó Cuív being sacked from the Fianna Fáil frontbench.

That a party which so spectacularly mismanaged our economy and oversaw the arrival of the troika has once more gain significant public support is encouraging for those of us in the Labour Party who worked to undo that damage, and who believe the the values of social democracy endure.

Listen below to the The Irish Times podcast with Brendan Howlin. In the podcast, Brendan chats to Hugh Linehan and Fiach Kelly about #LabourRebuild, our upcoming party conference and the state of social democracy in these changing times. Have a listen below,

Today during Leaders' Questions Party Leader Brendan Howlin said that the Taoiseach is losing his authority after his idea for an All-Island Forum was publicly slapped down by First Minister Arlene Foster.

Deputy Howlin criticised the Government for their divided position on the Fatak Foetal Abnormalities Bill being voted on in the Dáil this week.

Today during Leaders' Questions our Party Leader Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste if Water Services Bill going through the Dáil this week is unconstitutional and against EU law.

Deputy Howlin outlined his concerns that the Government was now asking the Oireachtas to pass law that is contrary to European Law and if the passing of the Water Services Bill - essentially suspending water charges would leave us open to a massive legal challenge from the European Commission?

Our country may be exposed to legal action from European Commission - we need to be clear if Government is going to allow this to happen -BH

Today during Leaders' Questions Party Leader Brendan Howlin brought up the harrowing statistics of violent abuse against women in Women's Aid 2015 Report. Deputy Howlin called on the Taoiseach to enact legislation to protect women against domestic violence and called on the Dáil to do more than just debate the Report and set up a 24/7 helpline for women affected by domestic abuse to receive support.

Minister Brendan Howlin recently responded to an editorial in The Financial Times. Link to article here

Sir,

Your editorial “Ireland should beware a return to boom and bust” (November 27) over-eggs the pudding somewhat. The current government, a coalition of the centre left and centre right, is more than aware of the risks of returning to the past. We have spent considerable energy cleaning up that mess.

Over the last two and a half years Ireland has made enormous progress and at the end of this year we are poised to regain control of our economy. This is the last of the bailout budgets and the treatment has been tough. It has been hard to do what is necessary but it is working and it will work. The economy is growing and we are creating jobs and reducing unemployment. We are working our way to recovery.